Timothy K. Adams, Jr.Principal TimpanistTimothy Adams was named Pittsburgh Symphony
Principal Timpanist beginning with the 1995-96 season. He was born in
Georgia and received his early musical training there. While in high
school, he started his professional career by playing as a substitute
percussionist in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. He studied at the
Cleveland Institute of Music where he received both his bachelor’s
degree in music and master’s degree in percussion.

After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Mr.
Adams played in the rock band, “Exotic Birds,” which recorded two
albums and a music video for MTV. While studying in Cleveland, Adams
played extra keyboard, percussion and timpani with the Cleveland
Orchestra.

Having spent two summers at the Tanglewood
Music Festival, Mr. Adams played under the direction of Leonard
Bernstein, Kurt Masur, Seiji Ozawa, Elliot Carter and Leon Fleisher. He
has played solo performances with the Atlanta Symphony, the
Indianapolis Symphony, the Florida Philharmonic, the Pittsburgh
Symphony and also has recorded with the Cleveland Orchestra, Atlanta
Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Pittsburgh Symphony
Orchestra where he was appointed principal timpanist in 1995.

In his capacity as Principal Timpanist of
the Pittsburgh Symphony, Adams is active in Education and Outreach
activities serving as both coach and mentor to aspiring percussionists.
He presents master classes for high school students and was involved in
the Symphony’s Early Childhood pilot program. He was instrumental in
developing and presenting the Pennsylvania Day of Percussion at Heinz
Hall, bringing in such artists as Evelyn Glennie, Peter Erskine and
Dana Kimble.

Mr. Adams was featured on the award-winning
children’s television show, “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” He
demonstrated various percussion instruments to children in an episode
titled “Noisy and Quiet.” His most recent venture had him composing for
dance concerts and playing on the soundtrack of The Caveman’s Valentine starring Samuel L. Jackson. The movie score was written by Grammy nominated jazz trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard.

Adams currently serves on the faculty of
Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh as Associate Professor of
Music, head of the percussion program. In addition, he teaches
percussion at the Brevard Music Center in North Carolina and teaches
master classes and plays recitals both in this country and abroad. He
is a regular guest lecturer at the University of Chile, International
Percussion Festival in Puerto Rico, International Percussion Festival
in Patagonia, Percussion School of Madrid and the Percussive Arts
Society International Convention/USA.